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Dasara is one of the most popular festivals celebrated in the city of Mysore. It is also the state-festival of Karnataka. The festival is celebrated as Dussehra and Vijayadashami in North India.

Dasara is celebrated on the 10th day of Ashvin month which usually falls in the month of September or October. Vijayadashami is the celebration of the victory of truth over evil. The day also marks the killing of demon Mahishasura by Hindu Goddess Chamundeshwari. Mahishasura is the demon whose slaying by the Goddess gave the name Mahishasura Mardini.

It is said that after falling of Vijayanagar kingdom, the Wodeyars of Mysore continued the Dasara Festival. It was initially started by Raja Wodeyar I (1578-1617 CE) in the year 1610 at Srirangapatna.

The Dasara celebrated in Mysore attracts visitors from across the world. In Mysore, the Dasara festivities begin with decorating the entire city with flowers, diyas and bulbs. The Mysore city is famous for its gala procession of richly bedecked elephants on the brightly lit streets of the city on Dussehra.

Effigies of demons like Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhkaran are burnt. The Mysore palace is illuminated for a whole month during the festive season of Dussehra.

On the 9th day of the festival, known as Navami or Mahanavami, the royal sword of Mysore king is worshipped and is taken on a procession that has elephants, camels, and horses.

Mysore Palace remains the main attraction of the entire 10-day Dasara festival. The highlight of the event is various cultural and religious dance, music and food being organized inside the palace premise.

Jumboo Savari, the traditional procession of Mysore Dasara, is organized on the streets of Mysore city. The main attraction of Jumboo Savari is the Goddess Chamundeshwari idol which is placed on a golden mantapa on the top elephants decorated with flowers and ornaments. The golden mantapa on the top elephants' weights around 750 kilograms.

The idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari is worshipped by the royal couple and other invitees before it is taken around in the procession.